On Thursday, the University of Chicago announced that it was dropping the requirement that all undergraduate applicants submit SAT or ACT scores.

Although in recent years, many elite colleges have stopped this requirement, The University of Chicago is the first research university to do so. This school is known to have many impressive scholars, and is very rigorous when it comes down to their curriculum.

“Testing is not the be-all and the end-all,” said James G. Nondorf, U-Chicago’s dean of admissions and financial aid. He said he didn’t want “one little test score” to end up “scaring students off” who are otherwise qualified.

U-Chicago also announced that they have three new financial aid packages being

• Full tuition scholarships for students whose families earn less than $125,000.

• Scholarships of $20,000 over four years, and a guaranteed paid summer internship, for all first-generation students.

• Special new scholarships for children of police officers, fire fighters, veterans and the children of veterans.

James G. Nondorf also stated that “the initiatives are collectively being called, “levels the playing field, allowing first-generation and low-income students to use technology and other resources to present themselves as well as any other college applicant. We want students to understand the application does not define you- you define the application”

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